Inspiring the next generation of superheroes

Young girls grow up with big dreams. Oftentimes, they want to become superheroes – saving lives, fighting fires, and stopping the bad guys on our streets. But when women make up just over 18% of our City’s police officers, and 3% of our firefighters, girls are left wondering whether those dreams can really come true.

So on March 15, Mayor Garcetti, First Lady Amy Elaine Wakeland, and the Getty House Foundation hosted a group of these gifted, bright, and motivated young women for a recruitment fair, where they tried on fire equipment and police gear, learned CPR, ran fitness drills, and learned what it takes to become an LAPD or LAFD officer – from real life heroes who turned their childhood aspirations into successful careers. After the recruitment fair, Criminal Minds star Kirsten Vangsness led a discussion with LAPD and LAFD leaders on the challenges that female public safety officers face out in the field, and their efforts to bring more women into the fold.

If you know a young girl who may be interested in a public safety career, visit the LAPD and LAFD resources below for more information on youth programs: